Food and Recipes Drinks Cocktails Cocktails to Make Every Month in 2023 By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn If your New Year's resolution is to get more creative in the kitchen, you might want to start with what you're sipping. We've put together 12 of our favorite cocktail recipes to try each month in 2023. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and flavors, you'll be sure to find one fit for any time of the year.You can never go wrong with classic cocktail recipes but every once in a while, you need some inspiration to spice things up. These recipes offer easy twists on favorites like springtime mint juleps and boozy, winter cocktails that warm your soul. If you are ever feeling stuck on what cocktail to serve at your next soirée, this seasonal list is sure to help. There is just about something for everyone from champagne drinkers to bourbon enthusiasts. When looking at this list, it's easy to imagine all the joy that is to come in 2023, from sticky summer days to cool winter nights, and now, you have a drink to serve for every occasion. 01 of 12 January: Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz Peter Frank Edwards In the summer of 2022, Aperol Spritzes became incredibly popular, but this cocktail is also a great option to ring in the new year. If you or a friend at yours is participating in dry January, this Pineapple-Basil Tea is a great non-alcoholic option. 02 of 12 February: Queen Bee Cocktail Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Tell your Valentine that they're the bee's knees with this delightful, classic cocktail. The only required element in a Queen Bee is a honey, but we have a few other guidelines for you to follow, if you wish. 03 of 12 March: Garden Pleasures Cocktail Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn Southerners are no strangers to garden parties, and this cocktail embodies the tradition. Made with a combination of honey water, basil leaves, green tea, clear spirits and a touch of lemon juice and topped with champagne and club soda, this drink was made to be sipped outdoors. 04 of 12 April: Grapefruit Margarita Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn No cocktail list is really complete without one great margarita recipe. With a garnish of fresh rosemary and a splash of grapefruit juice, our updated twist is the perfect sipper for showers, whether they be bridal or weather related. 05 of 12 May: The SL Mint Julep Photo: Hector Sanchez We love this drink so much, we decided to put our own name on it. We know that Derby Day is one of the biggest days on a Southerner's social calendar, so a Mint Julep had to make it on our list. 06 of 12 June: Bushwacker Monica Farber There is nothing quite like this boozy milkshake, a celebrated summer tradition across our region. Made with dark rum, coffee liqueur, and vanilla ice cream, this drink is a grown-up dessert that will help cool you down in the summer. 07 of 12 July: Texas Ranch Water Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Texans know a thing or two about quenching thirst during the sticky summer months. This simple drink is perfect for hot days where all you want to do is sit and sip. 08 of 12 August: Vodka Cherry Limeade Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist:Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer If you want a cocktail to serve at your summer pool parties and other warm-weather gatherings, look no further than this crowd-friendly drink. This drink is tart and sweet, much like the Dirty Shirley which made waves in 2022. 09 of 12 September: Maple Bourbon Smash Becky Luigart Stayner Equally suited for sipping on your porch or enjoying during game day, this Maple Bourbon Smash is a total touchdown. This drink tastes like fall in a cup, thanks to the flavors of fresh sage leaves and maple syrup. 10 of 12 October: Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch Caitlin Bensel In this surprisingly simple recipe, stir the seasonal ingredients together and then serve it all over ice. The festive flavors are sure to dazzle at your next tailgate or halloween party. 11 of 12 November: Cranberry Sangría Punch Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith This picture-perfect holiday cocktail is almost too pretty to drink. If you're planning on having a Thanksgiving get-together this month, you will want to add this punch to the menu. You can even make it a day before guests arrive. 12 of 12 December: Peppermint Martini Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Is there anything more jolly than a good drink? We don't think so. Spread holiday cheer throughout December with this peppermint martini. We like to think of it as the festive cousin of the beloved espresso martini. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit